THEATRE CONVENIENCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 89, 20 May 1949, Page 4

THEATRE CONVENIENCES

Sir, —I have often visited the Grand Theatre at Whakatane but have never yet been able to find the conveniences. If there are any I should like to know where they are if there are not then I think some should be provided as the Grand is a public hall. I should also like to refer to the fire escapes in this theatre. I am not an expert on such things but I should hate to be caught inside on a Friday night by a fire. • In my opinion they are quite inadequate. Yours etc., CURIOUS. The question of conveniences at the Grand Theatre was referred to the manager, Mr A. R. Cha.pman. He said that since the fire in the theatre six years ago none had not

been used although there were conveniences at the rear of the theatre. However, new conveniences had been constructed in the new build-"a ing beside the Grand Theatre for * patrons and would be able to be l, used as soon as the lighting was >- completed. Picture theatres were required to have adequate egress by way of fire escapes and other entrance and those provided in the Grand Theatre measured up to the required regulations, Mr Chapman said referring to the fire escapes. Fire exits were examined every year by the inspector of building. and the superintendent of the fire brigade at Whakatane before a licence was issued. —Ed.